Any recommendations for martial arts self defence classes.
- Thread starter highpark
- Start date
Yes, Muay Thai can be physically demanding if you try to go balls to the walls all out but the better MT gyms will let you work at your own pace and not expect you to become Ramon Dekkers overnight.
Like I said earlier. They will teach you proper technique then in time you will develop speed and power.
At my gym we have 3 50+ students one is a 56 year old lady (5 foot 3) who does boxing as well as MT classes 3x a week. She started 3 years ago with no martial arts training. She struggled in the beginning (like all of us did myself included) but now she makes it through each class no problem. I hold the pads for her and I'll tell you. She hits pretty hard for her age.
Sparring is optional and actually you would have to be at a certain level before you can get in the ring and spar so it's unlikely that you will get hurt besides maybe extremely sore muscles starting out.
Classes are usually made up of endless various punches to the focus pads (overhand right, jab's, left hook, uppercut, body shots etc), different kick's to the pads, kneeing the pads, learning 2,3,4,5,6 strike combo's, footwork, weaving, slipping and rolling off the jab etc.etc. All the basic stuff. It's quite a workout and you will sweat buckets but you will get in shape, lose weight, tone up drastically and know how to defend yourself to some degree.
You can start MT at age 50 just take it easy for a while and work on learning technique. If you're just starting out and cant finish the class then go as long as you can and sit out the rest. It's no problem. We were all there before. You do what you can.
Like I said earlier. They will teach you proper technique then in time you will develop speed and power.
At my gym we have 3 50+ students one is a 56 year old lady (5 foot 3) who does boxing as well as MT classes 3x a week. She started 3 years ago with no martial arts training. She struggled in the beginning (like all of us did myself included) but now she makes it through each class no problem. I hold the pads for her and I'll tell you. She hits pretty hard for her age.
Sparring is optional and actually you would have to be at a certain level before you can get in the ring and spar so it's unlikely that you will get hurt besides maybe extremely sore muscles starting out.
Classes are usually made up of endless various punches to the focus pads (overhand right, jab's, left hook, uppercut, body shots etc), different kick's to the pads, kneeing the pads, learning 2,3,4,5,6 strike combo's, footwork, weaving, slipping and rolling off the jab etc.etc. All the basic stuff. It's quite a workout and you will sweat buckets but you will get in shape, lose weight, tone up drastically and know how to defend yourself to some degree.
You can start MT at age 50 just take it easy for a while and work on learning technique. If you're just starting out and cant finish the class then go as long as you can and sit out the rest. It's no problem. We were all there before. You do what you can.
TERBites can list every martial art in the world but in the end you have to figure what's best for you....
Do you feel more comfortable with your hands (then maybe boxing)?
Are you a natural kicker (then maybe Muay Thai)?
Do you find wrestling more natural when you fight (maybe BJJ)?
I personally recommend doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai....
Both Martial Arts will give you a great workout and will teach you decent self-defense...
A few notes:
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has really evolved since the times of Royce Gracie and his debut in the first Ultimate Fighting Championships....It has become more about Sport than it has about Combat...Look up "Berim Bolo" (one of the most popular techniques in BJJ) and you'll realize there's no way you're doing that on the Street......So you'll have to figure out what works in sport and what works in real life situations.....
Muay Thai is a great martial art and effective on the street....but a lot of gyms in Canada will water down the Muay Thai and make their classes more fitness than combat....So usually 75 percent of the class will be some form of calisthenics and maybe you'll get 15 - 20 percent technique ...
I also recommend finding a gym that has strong Western Boxing component (Falang Boxing) to their Muay Thai.....Good Hands is important to real fighting situation whether in the ring or in the street...
If and when you do try out a gym don't sign up right away...
A decent gym willl have a trial (a week at least) so use that week trial to figure out if that gym is good for you....Even a gym that may be great for others may not be all that great for you (gellling with the instructors, other students or just that atmosphere)....
Try out as many gyms as you can.....Ask the instructors questions and see if they can answer intelligently and with patience...
PM me if you like and I can offer you some recommendations......
Do you feel more comfortable with your hands (then maybe boxing)?
Are you a natural kicker (then maybe Muay Thai)?
Do you find wrestling more natural when you fight (maybe BJJ)?
I personally recommend doing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai....
Both Martial Arts will give you a great workout and will teach you decent self-defense...
A few notes:
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has really evolved since the times of Royce Gracie and his debut in the first Ultimate Fighting Championships....It has become more about Sport than it has about Combat...Look up "Berim Bolo" (one of the most popular techniques in BJJ) and you'll realize there's no way you're doing that on the Street......So you'll have to figure out what works in sport and what works in real life situations.....
Muay Thai is a great martial art and effective on the street....but a lot of gyms in Canada will water down the Muay Thai and make their classes more fitness than combat....So usually 75 percent of the class will be some form of calisthenics and maybe you'll get 15 - 20 percent technique ...
I also recommend finding a gym that has strong Western Boxing component (Falang Boxing) to their Muay Thai.....Good Hands is important to real fighting situation whether in the ring or in the street...
If and when you do try out a gym don't sign up right away...
A decent gym willl have a trial (a week at least) so use that week trial to figure out if that gym is good for you....Even a gym that may be great for others may not be all that great for you (gellling with the instructors, other students or just that atmosphere)....
Try out as many gyms as you can.....Ask the instructors questions and see if they can answer intelligently and with patience...
PM me if you like and I can offer you some recommendations......
